Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those people that have been feeding their WC balls African Rats:

Do they as easily accept f/t african rats? Or does it have to be live (can't get live her in California).

Do they ever switch over to regular feeders?

My new WC girl is not having anything to do with what I've put in her cage for her to eat - I've only had her for a months and I have no problems with waiting her out but figured if I could get her started feeding on A.R.s and then switch her over fairly simply then that might be a route worth taking. But if feeding A.R.s just prolonging the ineviatable then I guess it's not worth it - as I really don't want to have to keep feeding her ARs for the rest of her life.

Thanks!
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.4 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.0 Lizards of unknown origin

from what ive seen they will eat them dead or alive. Id at least get a few frozen and give it a shot.

They have been a real time saver for me and they are worth every penny.

Thanks - I just dont even want to go there if thats is all she is going to take. I know if I wait her out eventually she will take a regular feeder - but if the ARs will help in the transition then it would be worth my while - if not then it's just prolonging the inevitable. Have any of your switched over?
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.4 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.0 Lizards of unknown origin

Ive got about half of the ones switched if not more. A couple have gained 2-300g last month. They started with ARs and now a few will eat VERY dead rats.

Thanks Gary - that's what I needed to know!
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.4 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.0 Lizards of unknown origin

Gary , did your WC take F/t African rats first or were they live. Let me know , if they took frozen thawed , i might pick some up to try on my WC YB female. thanks

Derek Federico

Toshia, This might sound a little silly but give it a try because it has worked for a few people. My friend Michael Cole from Ballroom South suggested this method. This is for live prey, Try giving it a bath with some luke warm water, No soap, Then dry it off really good with a dry clean towel then try feeding it. This cuts down the strong sent that domestic rodents have over the soft fur rats that people are using. Also if you can find them use brown or black and white rats, most soft fur rats are brown and being she is an import maybe it makes a difference. Good Luck and let me know how you make out. Thanks Erick
Exotic Designs

Thanks Erick tried that last night - she still wasn't interested but I'll try it a time or two more before going the other route.

Thanks!
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.4 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.0 Lizards of unknown origin

try gerbils
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jake

my addiction:
0.0.2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1.0 amelenistic corn snake (zyklon)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)
hybrid breeders association
hybrid haven

We don't get gerbils in CA - thanks!
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.4 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.0 Lizards of unknown origin

Is anybody selling AR in the Florida area (central State)??
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Jesse

www.feedersplus.com

I get all mine from Justin. Always healthy, never had a problem.

i see your list of animals and have to assume you know a bit abour reptiles. Then you know your python, especially being wild caught, will fast like a sonuvagun. I have had ball pythons for about ten years now, wc and cbb, and they all, if kept right, will eventually eat when they are hungry enough. just keep checking and rechecking your enclosure and husbandry. a big thing is a ball that has to pick between hiding and being warm. make sure it has a choice of hide spots from 80-95.

feed it with tongs

keep your main body mass and hand as far away as possible

feed f/t. My animals were all voracious feeders for the most part and have been bitten badly be rats regardless. Just get that rat hot before you present it to your snake. put it in a ziploc bag and put it in hot water(this may take some time). use a temp gun to make sure the rat is at least 90 degrees

heat sensing prey is big part for pythons and a room temperature or even slightly warmed rodent is not the same to the snake as a hot, sexy warm blooded animal.